<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Home Depot, Inc. 1996 1st Qtr. EXHIBIT 27 FDS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1995
<CASH>                                           48675
<SECURITIES>                                     73290
<RECEIVABLES>                                   229154
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    1995032
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               2404755
<PP&E>                                         4088839
<DEPRECIATION>                                  383203
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 6366424
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1698875
<BONDS>                                          87133
<COMMON>                                         23768
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     4393984
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   6366424
<SALES>                                        3568962
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               3568962
<CGS>                                          2571441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   743368
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (1962)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 256115
<INCOME-TAX>                                     98350
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             157765
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    157765
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0